Karmel Oration: On with the 21st century! Preparing Australian education for the 2020s and beyond

It is rare that the education community gets the chance to think seriously about the future. The 2019 Research Conference theme therefore gives us a welcome opportunity to be future-focused and forward-thinking. This presentation will preface the conference by reflecting on some pressing issues that Australian education is set to face over the next decade. In particular, we will explore a series of substantial challenges that are likely to come to the fore during the 2020s. These include: making a persuasive case for retaining traditional models of ‘school’ and ‘teacher’ in the face of compelling alternatives; developing broader notions of ‘skills’, ‘competencies’ and ‘aptitudes’ that help students to flourish in an age of precarious employment, misinformation and an increasingly fragmented society; engaging with digital technology in ways that strengthen the character and values of public education; renegotiating relationships between educational institutions and the corporate actors that are shaping education agendas around the world; engaging with public opinion, and fostering a genuine public understanding of (and support for) education; re-imagining educational provision and practices that are appropriate for an age of climate change. While these are all incredibly complex challenges, there is good reason to remain hopeful. In this spirit, the presentation will consider a variety of ways in which the Australian educational community might move forward in a realistic manner – allowing us to play a proactive part in how the 21st century continues to unfold.